Kirin

Kirin-XM
Size (metres, W×H×L)	171 x 42.7 x 347
Cargo capacity	(M/XM) 350 T (CV) 400 T
Cargo bay extension	50 T
Maximum speed	(M/XM) 0.22 LM (CV) 0.20 LM
Manoeuvrability	Roll: 1.3 Pitch: 0.5
Energy banks	4
Energy recharge rate	(M/XM) Excellent (6.0) (CV) Very Good (5.5)
Gun mounts	Front, Aft, Port, Starboard. (M/XM) 10 deck mounted Flak turrets. 5 hull-mounted Flak turrets. (CV) 2 Medium yield Plasma Cannons (All) Twin aft Medium yield Plasma cannons. (M) 4 Viper escorts.
Missile slots	(M/XM) 10 (CV) 12
Shield boosters available	Yes
Military shields available	Yes
Hyperspace capable	Yes
OXP or standard	OXP
Available to player	(XM/CV) Yes (M) No
Base price	(XM) 1250000 (CV) 1200000

Overview

The military have never been known to do things by halves and their planet-station-space supply logistic solution, definitely isn't one of them. Sporting a fearsome array of counter ship weaponry and a dedicated four ship strong viper escort; this machine is seen by many as the universal swiss army knife in the ongoing Thargoid war. They can be seen all over the 8 galaxies moving back a forth between insurgent hot spots, keeping the larger capital ships constantly supplied with goods and troopers.

There very little about this ship that can be explained in diminutive terms . It is huge by conventional ship standards, being able to easily hide 2 Anacondas flying abreast beneath its massive tapered wing. This massive superstructure allows for the transport of up to 400 tons of cargo (uncompressed) ready for speedy deployment. Although it can fit in a standard station landing dock, it is something of a close fit requiring either a docking computer or a highly trained (and somewhat fool hardy) pilot. As a result it is most at home making planet fall or docking with military capital ships. It can even be docked with a hermit. Its long nose proving just long enough to clamp onto the docking bay without smashing the tail end of the ship into the rest of the asteroid. But again this pass time is best left to the highly skilled or clinically insane. Then there are the expansive weapon systems; 4 laser hard points and a withering number of defensive flak batteries. Even the rear of the Kirin is heavily defended with two medium yield plasma turrets with interlacing fields of fire. If this wasn't enough, all military Kirins still on active duty are escorted by four Red-Knight Squadron military vipers. These compact but tough fighters can take the fight to the enemy, whilst the Kirin either supplies support fire or puts some distance between itself and any assailant .

Additionally as a purely defensive measure the ship itself is bound by a "Halo" armoured ring. This structure situated along its middle cross section and flanks, can soak up a large amount of damage that would have other wise weakened the main ship. All in all, the Kirin is a difficult target to crack, perfect for blockade smashing and ground force deployment.

Notable features

The ex-military version comes with flak weapons intact, a large hold and a comprehensive capacity for add ons. This is the perfect ship for the rich (but wanting to be richer) nervous traders. This ship has opened up a number of systems to captains who would otherwise be pirate cannon fodder. There is of coure a trade off for all that fire power. The Kirin does fight like a battle ship but she also moves like a slug.

The Civilian ship however was built more for the mass carrier in mind. With only 4 turrets in total, an extra 50 tons of space has been freed up for cargo. This variant although underpowered for anarchy systems is still a tough ship if properly escorted.

Controversy

The history of the Kirin (as with all things military) is some what sketchy. No one ship yard appears to be able to lay claim to designing it. One day it didn't exist the next, everyone was manufacturing one. This did enable the military to quickly fulfill their own needs and leave enough left over to cater for the rich trader market. There is a lucrative trade in surplus and "unrepairable" war damaged Kirin, due to the massive amount of fire they can put into the sky around them. Although fearsome to look at, the damage caused by these weapons is well within the capabilities of most ships to take for a short period. Leading to claims that the flak cannons where probably used for their psychological impact more than their physical one.

This ship is recorded as first seeing action during the TIBECIA Incident. The ship in question broke from the main battle group to conduct a lighting rescue of the Tibecian stations remaining personnel. Fighting through formidable Thargoid forces in order to do so. This apparent prototype was later procured by the GalCop History Museum, where it is on permanent display in a specially constructed dry dock on the outskirts of their Lave facility.

Credits

Modelled, textured & hosted by ClymAngus. Coding built and refined by Wyvern

This OXP would not have been possible without the support of:

Ahruman: For his vertex shader code

Griff: For his fragment shader code

Download

Download here

As so many manufactures were involved in building the Kirin, it stands to reason that at least one would alter the design and manufacture an unofficial, chopped variant. Thusly the existence of the Kirin Sport, manufactured by a racing mod shipyard as a smaller, faster, more agile - and less well armed - civilian variant.